Turbine powered surface vacuum cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled surface vacuum cleaning device which employs a turbine engine to provide for suction pickup of dirt and debris from a surface and also employs the turbine engine exhaust to assist in burning combustibles contained in the debris prior to the depositing of the non-combustible debris in a holding receptacle.

[ Dec. 18, 1973 United States Patent 1191 Scherer XX XX 99390 fl34 44 33 //l// 55.55

970 Perry 920 Dunn 966 Trapp Furnas.

Furnas Primary ExaminerHarvey C. Hornsby Assislan! Examiner-C. K. Moore 22 Filed:

App]. No.: 242,571

Attorney-Warren F. B. Lindsley [52] US. I/339, /340, 15/345,

ABSTRACT A self-propelled surface vacuum cleaning device which employs a turbine engine to provide for suction pickup of dirt and debris from a surface and also em- 3 5H min 0 2 4 5 ii 8 4 4 51 3 S S n m A mh C r a e S m l C .M ME IF ll oo 55 iii ploys the turbine engine exhaust to assist in burning References Cited combustibles contained in the debris prior to the de- UNITED STATES PATENTS positing of the non-combustible debris in a holding receptacle.

3,228,125 1/1966 15/340 X 3,041,748 7/1962 Wetzel............. 15/340 X 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TURBINE POWERED SURFACE VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of surface vacuum cleaning devices and more particularly to an improved mobile unit employing a turbine engine as its vacuum power and debris burning source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Heretofore, surface cleaning devices have used rotary brushes to loosen dirt and debris to aid vacuum or other means in placing it into a storage receptacle. These devices have been bulky, heavy and employed a large number of moving parts requiring extensive maintenance and replacement costs. Still further, they create a large amount of dust, only a small part, if any, being filtrated by the device. Any filtering ability of the prior art structures is of a temporarynature since it plugged up shortly after use. Additionally, these known devices have limited storage capacities as the debris picked up by the devices usually contains a large percentage of paper and trash which has a lot of bulk, thereby requiring the cleaning device to be emptied often.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, a new and improved turbine powered surface vacuum cleaner is disclosed and claimed which overcomes the shortcomings, disadvantages, and maintenance problems of the prior art and which comparatively is a relatively lightweight device with a minimum of moving parts. Means are provided to utilize the hot exhaust gases and flame from the turbine engine to assist in burning the combustible debris and trash picked up by the cleaning device.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved vacuum cleaning device for surfaces employing a turbine engine as its main source of power.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved surface cleaning device which directs the exhaust of a turbine engine used for motive force through a venturi to create a vacuum and air flow which picks up and moves debris from the surface to storage receptacles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a turbine powered surface cleaner which utilizes the hot exhaust of the turbine engine to assist in burning combustible materials contained in the debris before it reaches a vehicle mounted storage receptacle.

A still further object of this invention is to inject fuel into the turbine exhaust stream of a turbine actuated surface cleaner after passing through a venturi tube to insure complete burning of combustibles contained in the debris.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved vacuum type turbine powered cleaner employing an air filtering system for removing fine dust particles before exhausting the vacuum cleaner's exhaust to atmosphere.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved surface cleaning device employing an air flow system which insures that most of the heavier debris will be dropped out of the air stream before it reaches the air filters to minimize filter cleaning and replacement costs.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a surface type vacuum cleaner employing a built-in filter cleaning system to minimize maintenance costs.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner for streets, parking lots and the like employing a system of high pressure air jets directed against the surface in the vacuum pickup area to loosen debris from the surface and to help in getting the debris air-borne so that the vacuum system can more easily carry the debris in the desired path to the debris burning chamber and storage receptacle.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fan externally of an exhaust filtering means in a turbine powered surface vacuum cleaner to create a suction to facilitate the removal of air from a vehicle mounted storage receptacle and to assist in the filtering action of air passing through the vacuum cleaner and to boost or create additional vacuum at the pickup head.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a turbineactuated vacuum surface cleaning device for mounting on a vehicle with parts broken away to more clearly show the details thereof and embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental side elevational view, partly in section, showing the air filtering system, the filter cleaning mechanism and the exhaust fan as well as a portion of the interior of the storage receptacle to illustrate the air flow within these areas;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmental perspective view of the filtering system with parts in section; and

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view partly in section of the vacuum cleaning device vehicle mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 disclose a vehicle mountable turbine engine 1 of any suitable type complete with all necessary starting equipment, fuel supply and operating controls, not shown, and mounted on a vehicle 2 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4. The rear of exhaust discharge end 3 of the turbine engine l is provided with an exhaust duct 4 which has a venturi section 5 to increase the velocity of the hot exhaust gases from the turbine engine and to create a reduction in pressure of these gases in the venturi section. This venturi action creates a suction or vacuum effect which is utilized in a debris pickup duct 6 connected to and communicating with the exhaust duct 4 just rearwardly of venturi section 5, as shown.

A hood-like debris pickup head 7 is carried at the lower end of the pickup duct 6 and extends so as to be carried adjacent but not touching a surface 8 to be cleaned during normal operation of the device. The pickup head is a housing of any suitable shape but is preferably of sufficient width to operate over an area at least equal to the width of the vehicle on which it is carried and mounted to afford greatest maneuverability and operator visibility.

Within the housing of the pickup head 7, and preferably along the rear wall 9 thereof, is carried an air rake 10 which comprises an elongated tubular air reservoir member 11, extending the length of the rear wall 9 of head 7, and having mounted on it and in communication with it a plurality of air jet nozzles 12-12. Nozzles 12- 12 are substantially evenly spaced along the length of air reservoir 11. Preferably these air jet nozzles are arranged in relatively close relationship to each other and are installed so as to direct air under pressure downwardly at high velocity and at an angle against the outside surface 8, as indicated by arrows 13-13, to loosen debris and dirt from the surface to aid in getting them air borne so that the suction effect within the duct can carry them upwardly into the exhaust duct 4 as shown by arrows 14-14. At this point in the device the high velocity turbine engine exhaust, indicated by arrows 15-15, will carry them rearwardly into the debris storage receptacle 16.

it is deemed apparent that the vacuum effect created with the pickup head 7 and duct 6 alone or in combination with supplemental vacuum producing means will cause air to be drawn into the head from bene'aththe lower edges 17-17 of the housing of head 7, as indicated by the arrows 18-18, and that this air being drawn into head 7 will be drawn upwardly through duct 6, carrying with it the debris and dirt which are present under the pickup head 7.

As a means to supply air under pressure to reservoir member 11, l have shown a separate motor 19, which maybe electric, hydraulic, or otherwise driven to drive an air compressor 20 connected by piping 21 to the reservoir member which provides sufficient air under pressure to operate nozzles 12-12 and any other air operated mechanism desired. It should be noted that turbine engine 1 may be utilized for this purpose through the use of bleed air, well known in the art.

As debris enters the exhaust duct 4 it is picked up by the exhaust gases of the turbine engine, indicated by arrows 15-15, and these hot gases will burn the combustible part of the debris such as paper and the like while this debris is in suspension in the stream of exhaust gases 15-15. However, to facilitate and insure good burning of the combustible materials in the debris, a fuel'nozzle 22 may be provided in duct 4 rearwardly of the venturi section 5. A fuel supply line 23 is connected to any suitable fuel supply source, not shown, such as a container of natural gas. The fuel introduced from the supply line into the stream of hot exhaust gases 15-15 will be ignited and aid in the burning of the combustible debris while it is in suspension in the exhaust duct 4. It should be recognized that some means for retarding the movement of the combustible products in the exhaust gases 15-15 may be used to provide more time for burning larger items.

All the dirt and burned debris, which is now ash, is carried by the exhaust stream 15-15 into the storage receptacle 16. This storage receptacle is relatively large and acts as an expansion chamber to reduce the velocity of the exhaust gases, thereby permitting the dirt and ash to drop into the bottom of the receptacle, as shown at 24. Obviously, receptacle 16 will not be as quickly filled with materials as it would have been if the combustibles of the debris were not burned, as there is a very substantial reduction in bulk of the debris when its combustibles have been burned.

As means for filtering all of the dirt, ash, and dust particles out of the air before the air is exhausted from the expansion chamber and storage receptacle 16, a rotating disc-like filter 25 is provided in the exhaust stream. This filter may be of any suitable material such as metallic mesh, fibrous mat or the like. The disc is rotatably carried by an axle 26 mounted in the upper portion of the expansion chamber and storage receptacle 16, as shown. Suitable sealing means 27 is provided entirely around the edge of filter 25 to prevent air from being discharged from the expansion chamber and receptacle 16 to atmosphere unfiltered.

The interior of receptacle 16 is provided with horizontal baffles 2828 and vertical baffles 29-29 to preclude channeling of air directly from the duct 4 through the filter to insure the dropping of the heavier dirt and debris residue into the bottom of the expansion chamber and receptacle 16 by means of inertia and gravitational separation.

The upper end of the receptacle and expansion chamber 16 is provided with a hood 30 immediately above the filter containing the filter in dust-tight association with the hood by means of seals 27.

Hood 30 is preferably of an inverted cone-shaped configuration, as shown, and having a stack 31 as a clean air discharge.

A fan 32 is mounted on shaft 26 within hood 30 which is rotated by any suitable means to draw air from the expansion chamber and storage receptacle 16 through filter 25 and stack 31 to atmosphere. As air is drawn through the filter, any remaining dirt, dust, or ash which is in suspension in the air being moved will be picked up and removed from the air as it passes through the filter.

Since a filter for this purpose readily becomes clogged, a self-cleaning mechanism for continuously cleaning the filter is provided. This cleaning mechanism comprises a substantially pie-shaped air pressure housing 40 extending outwardly from axle 26 to the outer periphery of the filter, as shown. Sealing means 33 is provided to seal the lower edge of housing 40 and the filter against air leakage, and similarly sealing means 34 is provided on the bottom of the filter opposite seals 33 to sealing housing 40 from the expansion chamber and receptacle 16, as shown in FIG. 3.

A high pressure air supply line 35 is provided from compressor 20 to provide air at high velocity and pressure to the series of air nozzles 36-36 within housing 40. Air discharged from nozzles 36-36 through the filter from the upper side thereof blows off dirt in or on the lower side of the filter into the dirt and ash receiving chute 41, where it is discharged into receptacle 16 without being affected by the movement of air in the receptacle out through the filter. Thus, the filter is continuously cleaned as the cleaning device is in operation.

In FIGS. 1 and 4 l have shown main shaft 43 of the turbine engine 1 extending forwardly of the front of the engine to drive an auxiliary power producing device 44. The power producing device may be an electric generator, hydraulic pump or pumps, air compressor, vacuum producing means, or any other device which may be desired or required on an outside surface vacuum cleaning vehicle. Specific connections of this power producing device to operate given mechanisms such as motor 19 have been diagrammatically indicated by dash line 44'; however, it is deemed obvious that the air compressor could be operated from shaft 43 or from device 44, or suitable air bleed means could be operated by the turbine engine as well known in the art. It is also deemed apparent that device 44 might be a hydraulic pump or electric generator which could be connected to hydraulic or electric motors, 4545, in each wheel 46-46 of the vehicle to provide the motive power for the vehicle.

It is deemed apparent from the above that l have provided an improved vacuum cleaning device for surfaces such as streets and the like, which is relatively lightweight, has a minimum of working parts subject to wear, breakage and replacement, which provides for burning of combustible debris as it is picked up to reduce the bulk of debris to be hauled away, and which filters out all dirt and ash before the air employed in the device is exhausted to atmosphere.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and other modifications may be made to the apparatus shown and described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vacuum cleaning device including a vehicle and a vacuum pickup head:

a turbine engine mounted on said vehicle,

an exhaust duct connected to the engine exhaust and extending therefrom,

a venturi section in said exhaust duct,

a second duct having one end connected to said exhaust duct at an angle thereto and the opposite end connected to said pickup head,

said venturi section creating a suction effect in said second duct for drawing air and debris from said head into said exhaust duct so that the combustible part of the debris is burned by the exhaust gases of said engine,

and a debris collection receptacle,

said exhaust duct being connected to said receptacle to discharge thereinto. I

2. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with means for introducing fuel to said exhaust duct rearwardly of said venturi section to be ignited by hot exhaust from said engine in said duct to aid in burning debris as it is carried through said exhaust duct.

3. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with:

a tubular air reservoir carried near the lower end of said pickup head,

a plurality of air jet nozzles connected to said reservoir and directed downwardly therefrom,

and means to provide air under pressure to said reservoir to be discharged from said nozzles to loosen dirt and debris beneath said head.

4. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle acts as an expansion chamber to permit dirt and debris to be dropped from suspension in the air and gases of the exhaust from said engine.

5. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with a filtering means associated with said receptacle to clean dirt and debris from air and exhaust gases being expelled from said receptacle to atmosphere.

6. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 5 wherein said filtering means comprises a rotatable disclike filter member.

7. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 6 in further combination with a filter cleaning device mounted around a portion of said filter to clean said filter continuously as it rotates.

8. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 7 wherein said filter cleaning device comprises:

an air chamber embracing a portion of said filter,

an air supply to said chamber,

and a plurality of air discharge nozzles connected with said air supply and arranged to blow air through said filter from one side to the other side to clean said filter.

9. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 6 in further combination with an exhaust fan mounted on said receptacle outwardly of said filter to draw air and gases from said receptacle through said filter.

10. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with a series of baffles in said receptacle to control air and gas movement therethrough.

11. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with:

a forward drive shaft arranged to extend from said engine,

a power generating device carried adjacent said engine and connected to said drive shaft,

and means connecting said power generating device to the drive wheels of said vehicle whereby said engine provides the motive and accessory power for said vehicle. I

12. In a vacuum cleaning device including a vehicle and a vacuum pickup head:

a turbine engine mounted on said vehicle,

an exhaust duct connected to the engine exhaust and extending therefrom,

a second duct having one end connected to said exhaust duct and the opposite end connected to said pickup head, such that a suction may be created in said second duct a debris collection receptacle,

said exhaust duct being connected to said receptacle to discharge thereinto, and

an exhaust fan mounted on said receptacle to create a suction in said exhaust duct and said second duct to draw air and debris from said head into said exhaust duct so that the combustible part of the debris is burned by the exhaust gases of said engine. 

1. In a vacuum cleaning device including a vehicle and a vacuum pickup head: a turbine engine mounted on said vehicle, an exhaust duct connected to the engine exhaust and extending therefrom, a venturi section in said exhaust duct, a second duct having one end connected to said exhaust duct at an angle thereto and the opposite end connected to said pickup head, said venturi section creating a suction effect in said second duct for drawing air and debris from said head into said exhaust duct so that the combustible part of the debriS is burned by the exhaust gases of said engine, and a debris collection receptacle, said exhaust duct being connected to said receptacle to discharge thereinto.
 2. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with means for introducing fuel to said exhaust duct rearwardly of said venturi section to be ignited by hot exhaust from said engine in said duct to aid in burning debris as it is carried through said exhaust duct.
 3. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a tubular air reservoir carried near the lower end of said pickup head, a plurality of air jet nozzles connected to said reservoir and directed downwardly therefrom, and means to provide air under pressure to said reservoir to be discharged from said nozzles to loosen dirt and debris beneath said head.
 4. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle acts as an expansion chamber to permit dirt and debris to be dropped from suspension in the air and gases of the exhaust from said engine.
 5. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with a filtering means associated with said receptacle to clean dirt and debris from air and exhaust gases being expelled from said receptacle to atmosphere.
 6. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 5 wherein said filtering means comprises a rotatable disc-like filter member.
 7. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 6 in further combination with a filter cleaning device mounted around a portion of said filter to clean said filter continuously as it rotates.
 8. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 7 wherein said filter cleaning device comprises: an air chamber embracing a portion of said filter, an air supply to said chamber, and a plurality of air discharge nozzles connected with said air supply and arranged to blow air through said filter from one side to the other side to clean said filter.
 9. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 6 in further combination with an exhaust fan mounted on said receptacle outwardly of said filter to draw air and gases from said receptacle through said filter.
 10. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with a series of baffles in said receptacle to control air and gas movement therethrough.
 11. The vacuum cleaning device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a forward drive shaft arranged to extend from said engine, a power generating device carried adjacent said engine and connected to said drive shaft, and means connecting said power generating device to the drive wheels of said vehicle whereby said engine provides the motive and accessory power for said vehicle.
 12. In a vacuum cleaning device including a vehicle and a vacuum pickup head: a turbine engine mounted on said vehicle, an exhaust duct connected to the engine exhaust and extending therefrom, a second duct having one end connected to said exhaust duct and the opposite end connected to said pickup head, such that a suction may be created in said second duct a debris collection receptacle, said exhaust duct being connected to said receptacle to discharge thereinto, and an exhaust fan mounted on said receptacle to create a suction in said exhaust duct and said second duct to draw air and debris from said head into said exhaust duct so that the combustible part of the debris is burned by the exhaust gases of said engine. 